The change to the commonplace and practical from that moment of feverish passion was a welcome relief to us both.
“Yes; you are right. I will,” she answered, forcing a smile; and picking up the things I had laid on the chair, she carried them into the hut.
CHAPTER IV.
A CONTEST IN WILL POWER.
After that incident there was something of a change in the curious relations between us. She was just as imperious at times; but less patronising. She seemed to expect my services less as a return for payment to be made, or by right of caste and station, than in virtue of her womanhood and helplessness. Either she now believed entirely in my good faith, or she was anxious to make me think she did.
I explained to her how I generally contrived to prepare my food, showed her how to manage the spirit stove, pointed out where the few things needful were kept, and offered to make the meal ready for her.
“I am not helpless, and can do it myself, thank you,” she said, half resentfully.
“I didn’t know,” I answered, and soon after left her to it. I went back to the tent to wash my face and hands and endeavour to get the blood stains from my clothes. I began to be disquietingly conscious of my exceedingly ungroomed condition.
The men were eating their breakfasts and talking together with lowered brow and gloomy faces.
“What are we to do, Burgwan?” asked Karasch, coming over to me presently.
“There will be no work to-day. I shall remain in camp.”